The journey off the ruined hillside led the trio—plus one noisy scrap commander pig—toward their first destination: Vanya Village, a place famous across Britannia for its rich, aromatic ale brewed from the clear waters of the Vanya River.
However, as they reached the village, the mood in the surrounding fields was completely dead. The famous Vanya River was bone-dry and completely desolate.
"This is weird," Hawk snorted, sniffing the cracked earth. "Where's the river? Where's the smell of good food?!"
"The water source has been completely cut off," Rimuru observed calmly, her golden eyes narrowing as her intellect passively calculated the landscape.
[Hyper-Calculation Active]
Terrain Analysis: Subterranean water channels blocked.
Cause: High-density, concentrated lightning magic driving deep into the earth upstream.
Threat Level: Non-lethal to the environment, designed as a deliberate hostage tactic.
"Someone stuck a massive magic spike right into the town's lifeblood," Rimuru murmured, resting her hand on the pommel of Tempest. "It's childish."
When they entered the village center, a huge crowd of miserable townspeople were gathered around a single object buried deep in the cobblestones. It was a massive, ornate broadsword, crackling with violent, blue arcs of electric magic.
"It's no use!" a village elder cried, wringing his hands. "The Holy Knight drove his sword into the earth and bound the river's spring! Unless someone can pull it out, our village will starve, and we won't be able to pay our taxes to Liones!"
Several heavy-set men pulled on the hilt with ropes and horses, but the blade didn't budge an inch. The lightning magic hummed, threatening to shock anyone who got too close.
Elizabeth looked at the suffering villagers, her chest aching. "Is there no way to remove it?"
"I could vaporize the blade in a fraction of a second," Rimuru offered casually, stepping up beside Elizabeth.
"Nah, let's keep it simple," Meliodas grinned.
Walking right past the startled villagers, Meliodas wrapped his hand around the crackling hilt. The blue lightning surged up his arm, but he didn't even flinch. With a single, effortless yank, Meliodas pulled the sword completely out of the ground!
CRACK-THOOM!
A massive geyser of fresh, crystal-clear water erupted into the sky, showering the entire village square. The riverbed instantly roared back to life, filling the irrigation channels with rushing water.
"HE PULLED IT OUT!"
"THE OWNER OF THE TAVERN DID IT WITH ONE HAND!"
The village broke into wild, tearful celebration. That evening, to show their gratitude, the villagers threw a massive feast at the Boar Hat, filling the room with roasted meats and freshly unsealed Vanya ale.
While Meliodas drank barrel after barrel with the locals and casually dodged Rimuru's sharp glares every time his hands wandered near Elizabeth, Rimuru sat at a quiet corner table with Elizabeth.
"You really care about the people of this kingdom, don't you?" Rimuru asked softly, taking a sip from her glass.
"I do," Elizabeth said, looking at her hands. "I know I'm weak, Rimuru-san. I don't have magic or strength like you and Sir Meliodas. But I want to protect everyone."
Rimuru felt a deep, warm ache in her heart. 'You haven't changed at all, Elizabeth. Even without your memories, your soul is still the exact same.'
"You're not weak," Rimuru said firmly, reaching out to gently squeeze Elizabeth's hand. "It takes a different kind of strength to stand up to Holy Knights without a weapon. Leave the fighting to us."
Elizabeth blushed slightly, smiling warmly. "Thank you... It feels so strange. Being around you makes me feel so safe. It's almost like... having an older sister."
Rimuru's breath hitched for a split second. She suppressed the swell of emotion in her chest and gave Elizabeth a soft, teasing smirk. "Who knows?"
Suddenly, the tavern doors creaked open. A young boy from the village ran in, breathless and wide-eyed.
"H-Hey! Have you heard?!" the boy panted, leaning against the doorframe. "The Holy Knights in the nearby post were talking! They say nobody dares enter the Forest of White Dreams!"
The tavern quieted down slightly.
"The Forest of White Dreams?" Elizabeth echoed. "Why?"
"Because even the Holy Knights stay away from it!" the boy whispered fearfully. "They say a terrifying monster lives in the deep mist... or maybe one of the Eight Deadly Sins is hiding inside!"
Meliodas slammed his mug down on the counter with a satisfied sigh, wiping his mouth. He looked over at Rimuru, a knowing, sharp spark in his green eyes.
"A thick, foggy forest that even Holy Knights avoid?" Meliodas chuckled. "Sounds like the perfect hiding spot for a giant, doesn't it?"
Rimuru stood up as her mind instantly processed the intelligence.
[Hyper-Calculation Active]
Location: Forest of White Dreams.
Target Match: Diane, the Serpent Sin of Envy.
Probability of Location: 94.8%.
"Diane," Rimuru murmured, a rare, genuine smile playing on her lips. "If she's been sleeping in that forest for ten years, she's going to be furious when we wake her up."
"Alright then!" Meliodas announced cheerfully, strapping his dragon hilt to his back. "Next stop: The Forest of White Dreams!"
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